I Was Rattled

I was minding my business, taking my time,

Ridin’ Ol’ Bess from the West Miller Mine

When all of a sudden, (weren’t nothing’ I did)

Bess started buckin’ and she hit the skids!

I was pitched off her back like a sack of no worth

To land near the meanest dang rattler on earth!

His tounge was a-flickin’, tasting the air,

His eyes clouded over, like a blind man’s that pair.

He was longer than Bess with a full twelve-inch girth,

My mettle dissolved to a pitiful dearth.

His head raised up proud, his tail even prouder

And that buzz, just kept getting louder and louder!

His mien was aggressive and I was a wreck

So I pulled out my shooter and aimed for the neck!

Now I hate killing creatures; God’s watchin’ and all,

But he had my number and was dialin’ the call.

His head is still there, by the side of the trail

But I took the rest home, even that tail!

His meat fed me supper, yep, top o’ the line.

His hide and those rattles?  A hat-band so fine!